OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture at distal acupoints and local acupoints on treatment of xerophthalmia.

METHODSA total of 40 patients of xerophthalmia were randomly divided into a distal group and a local group, 20 cases in each one. One patient in local group lost contact, and finally 20 cases in the distal group and 19 cases in the local group finished treatment. The patients in the distal group were treated with acupuncture at Guangming (GB 37) and Diwuhui (GB 42), while those in the local group were treated with acupuncture at Cuanzhu (BL 2), Tongziliao (GB 1) and Taiyang (EX-HN 5). Patients in both groups were treated once a day, five times per week, and totally 2-week treatment were given. The subjective symptom based on visual analogue scale (VAS), tear secretion, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and breakup time (BUT) were evaluated before treatment, after two-week treatment (end of treatment) and two weeks after end of treatment (follow-up visit) in the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment and follow-up visit, the VAS, tear secretion, OSDI and BUT were all improved (<0.05,<0.01), but the differences of VAS and OSDI between the two groups were not significant (both>0.05). At follow-up visit, the differences of tear secretion and BUT between the two groups were significant (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at distal acupoints could relieve xerophthalmia symptoms, improve quality of life, increase tear secretion and prolong BUT, which is superior to local acupoints in long term.